Reading Notes: Arni's The Missing Queen, Ch 4 - 6

For this week's extra credit reading, I continued reading The Missing Queen and read chapters four, five, and six.

The journalist's name is still not revealed, but nonetheless, I am still captivated by the book. I am really loving the new twist given to the Ramayana, although sometimes I do get lost in the book (as to who's who).

Chapters 4 through 6 consisted of the journalist being ousted from his job and a couple of people came to his for some odd reason. The journalist's former boss gave his interview to a rival channel to portray on their channel.

I am truly captivated by this new remake of the Ramayana. It sure does have me wanting to read until the end!

Click here for a reading guide to Arni's The Missing Queen.

Lord Rama and Mother Sita. Can you imagine them in modern day clothing?

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Kapur's Ganesha Goes To Lunch, Part A

Last semester, during Weeks 9 - 14, when we had the free reading, I chose several books to read, but I couldn't get through all of them, so I decided for all of Weeks 9 - 14 I would stick to one book. I'm sure that this one book has plenty to read, learn, and write from, so I chose to read Kamla K Kapur's Ganesha Goes To Lunch.

Today's reading consists of reading Stories of Vishnu Introduction and On the Track of Love.

Stories of Vishnu Introduction
This introduction does exactly that: it introduces the readers to the three main gods of Hinduism: Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh (Lord Shiva). It tells of how the Brahma and Vishnu were created and how they took birth. But mostly, this was an introduction to Lord Vishnu.

On the Track of Love
This story was about true devotion to God. In this story, Narada thought he was the greatest devotee of Vishnu and could not stand knowing that there is another devotee greater than him. Lord Vishnu sends Narada to South India to another devotee's house that He claims is a larger devotee than Narada. Narada goes there and sees that the devotee prays to Lord Vishnu for barely two minutes. Later, Vishnu gives Narada gives a bowl of oil and tells him to circumambulate the city and come back without spilling a drop. The whole time, Narada concentrates on not spilling a drop instead of focusing on Vishnu. When he gets back, Vishnu explains to him that the other devotee remembers to remember even top of his daily duties, and Narada could not think of him during the time of his circumambulation.

Click here for a reading guide to Kapur's Ganesha Goes To Lunch.

Lord Vishnu resting on SheshNag.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Arni's The Missing Queen, Ch 1 - 3

This week, for the extra credit reading, I started reading Samhita Arni's The Missing Queen. When I started reading it, I was quite surprised at how well the book is written.

The Ramayana has truly been given a new twist in this book. At one point, Rama and Sita entered Ayodhya in a Cadillac, and I remember my first thought was: "Whatttttt? Rama and Sita in a Cadillac?". Now that's a plot twist like no other.

There is a journalist who is taking the interview of Rama and Kaikeyi and asking the same question: what happened to Sita? The boss of the journalist is not pleased with the journalist (whose name is still unknown to the readers at this point) because that is not something the readers of a newspaper would want to read about. But nonetheless, the journalist wants to publish the truth, not the bent truth. I'm excited to read the next portion of the book, in hopes of finding the journalist's name and to see whether the journalist gets to publish what he/she wants.

Click here for a reading guide to Samhita Arni's The Missing Queen.

The cover of The Missing Queen

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Krishna, Part B

The second part of Krishna was about when Lord Krishna returned to Mathura. It was also about when He became the charioteer for Arjuna during the Mahabharata. Lord Krishna also consoled Gandhari when she lost all of her one hundred sons in the war of the Mahabharata.

The second part was an interesting read because some parts I knew about and some parts I didn't know about.

I know for sure that I am going to write a story about how everyone in Gokuldham Society is always ready to help one another in times of need.

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Krishna.

Lord Krishna as Arjuna's charioteer.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Krishna, Part A

For Week 7, I chose to read Krishna by Sister Nivedita. When I first chose it, I thought it would take forever to read, but I was quite surprised to see how short it was.

The first part of Krishna was about Lord Krishna's birth, about how He was born in jail to one mother, but raised by another mother.

The first portion of the book also talked about when Lord Krishna fought with the great big, Kaliya Naag, and when He lifted the mountain to save all of his fellow villagers from a gigantic flood sent by Lord Indra.

If I were to write a story, I would connect it with Gokuldham Society and how everyone is always ready to help one another.

Some of my favorite stories that I've heard of Lord Krishna are the first part. I look forward to reading Part 2 and see what it contains.

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Krishna.

Krishna fighting with the great Kaliya Naag.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art: Rama

We've all been reading the Ramayana, so none of us are unfamiliar with who Rama is.

Rama was the incarnation of Vishnu who saved the world from the evil known as Ravana. He killed Ravana and rescued Mother Sita from his kidnapping when Ravana abducted her as revenge.

Click here for a reading guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art.

Lord Rama and Mother Sita. What a beautiful picture!

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets, Part D: Trivikrama

For each week's extra credit reading, I have been doing Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art. Somewhere down the road, I have not been completely paying attention, and I think I may have repeated one part. But I will pay attention after this.

This week's extra credit reading consisted of Part D of Pattanaik's Seven Secrets, which is Lord Vishnu's form of Trivikrama.

Trivikrama is the form of Lord Vishnu in which He covered the three world, svarga (heaven), prithvi (earth), and paataala (hell), in three steps.

Click here for a reading guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of the Hindu Calendar Art.

Lord Vishnu's Trivikrama avatar

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata, Part B

Chapter 5 is titled "Uncle's Gift" and is about Shakuni's (Kauravas' maternal uncle) gift to the Kauravas. He tells Duryodhana that he will help kill the Pandavas.

Chapter 6 is titled "City of Splendor" and is about how the Pandavas turned the Khandavaprastha into Indraprastha. In the previous chapter, Lord Krishna came and took the Pandavas out of Hastinapura and took them to a desert called Khandavaprastha. He told them that this is the place where can live peacefully. The Pandavas used the help of many people and built a city on Khandavasprastha and named it Indraprastha. But nonetheless, the Kauravas were not happy about this, and continued to harass them.

Chapter 7 is called "Stakes Unmatched" and is about the gambling match that took place between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. It was in this chapter that Shakuni played by deceit and won each gamble and stake that put out by Yudhisthira. It was in this chapter also when the cheerharan of Draupadi took place, and the Pandavas couldn't do a thing about it.

Chapter 8 is titled "Wanderings" and is about the time when the Pandavas were living in the forest. This chapter describes the life of the Pandavas during their time in the forest. They had to live in the forest because Yudhisthira staked Indraprastha in the gambling match and lost it.

I would write a story about the time when Tapu Sena had themed one Ganeshotsav around the respect of women and included the story of Draupadi's cheerharan in it.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Mahabharata.

Draupadi being stripped of her dignity, Lord Krishna saving her, and the Pandavas watching in helplessness.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Mahabharata, Part A

Chapter 1 is titled "The Eighth Baby" and is about the birth of the eighth child of King Shantanu. This chapter is an introduction to all the characters and the very, very beginning of the war of the Mahabharata.

Chapter 2 is titled "Enter--The Players" and is about the Pandavas and how they came to be. This chapter introduces the readers to the Pandavas and their births. It also introduces the Kauravas and gives a brief background as to who Karna (charioteer's son, but really royalty).

Chapter 3 is titled "House of Joy--and Ashes" and is about how the enmity started between the Pandavas and the Kauravas. King Dhritarashta (father of the Kauravas) named Yudhisthira the heir apparent of Hastinapur. Duryodhana, being the eldest Kaurava, should have been named heir apparent, so as a result of Yudhisthira being named heir apparent, the Kauravas started hating the Pandavas, and the enmity began there.

Chapter 4 is titled "Bride for Five" and is about Draupadi and her swayamvara. The Pandavas attend Draupadi's swayamvara, and Arjuna wins her swayamvara and marries her. But when she is brought to the Pandavas house, without looking at what they brought, the Pandavas' mother asks them to share what they have brought. In this way, she became the wife to all five brothers.

I would write about how the members of Gokuldham Society share each other's happiness and sorrows.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Mahabharata.

The Pandavas bring Draupadi home, and their mother, Kunti, asks them to share what they have brought.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Mohini

Mohini was the form of Lord Vishnu during the churning of the ocean. During the churning of the ocean, amrita, or divine nectar, had come out. In order to stop the asuras from consuming this nectar and becoming immortal, Lord Vishnu assumed the form of Mohini, took the nectar from the ocean, and gave it to the devas.

The churning of the ocean is one of my favorite stories.

Click here for a reading guide to Devdutt Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu as Mohini. One of my favorite stories of that time period.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Ramayana, Part B

The second part of the book was about Hanuman burning Lanka down, the war between Rama and Ravana, Sita's agnipariksha, and their "happily-ever-after".

Upon finding out that Hanuman was in Lanka, Ravana ordered his tail be set to fire. Using his tail, Hanuman burned all of Lanka down and returned to Lord Rama.

Slowly but surely, everyone reached Lanka and from there on, the war ensued between Lord Rama and Ravana. One by one, Ravana sent many warriors down to fight, but they all lost and ended up losing their lives. At the very end, Ravana came to fight with Rama, but his arrogance and pride brought him down as well.

Afterwards, Lord Rama brought Sita back, but because of Ayodhya's people's gossip, she had to go through an agnipariksha to prove her purity. She successfully completed her agniparika, and the people stopped gossiping about her being with Ravana for so long.

Then Sita gave birth to two sons, Lava and Kusha, and they lived happily ever after with Lord Rama being the king.

Click here for a reading guide for Sister Nivedita's Ramayana

Lava and Kush with their mother, Sita

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita's Ramayana, Part A

For this week, I read Sister Nivedita's Ramayana online. I really wished that I could've had the physical copy, but I couldn't get it in time, so I just read it online.

The first half of this book is about when Queen Kaikeyi asked for her two wishes to be fulfilled. With heavy heart, King Dashratha sent Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana for exile for fourteen years.

While the three of the were in exile in the forest, King Dashratha dies and Bharata becomes king.

Sita is abducted and the search for Sita begins. Rama and Lakshmana meet the monkey clan of Kishkinda, and they all start to look for Sita. Hanuman is sent to Lanka with a ring of Lord Rama to show Mother Sita proof that he has been with Lord Rama. Hanuman meets Sita and tells her that Lord Rama will soon come and take her away from the evil and cruel Ravana.

I would write about Khushi and her story and about the members of Gokuldham Society sent her back home with her parents and gave her justice.

Click here for a reading guide to Sister Nivedita's Ramayana.

There's little Khushi in Dayabhabhi's arms.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Matsya

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Extra Credit More Reading assignment.

For this I watched the second part, called Matsya, of the Seven Secrets of Vishnu from the Hindu Calendar Art.

In this video, it is explained about one form of Lord Vishnu, the Matsya form, the form of a fish. It is explained how the Matsya form came about and what the Matsya form of Lord Vishnu teaches.

It was a really interesting watch. I learned some things that I didn't know before.

Reading Guide for Pattanaik's Seven Secrets of Vishnu: Matsya

The matsya form of Lord Vishnu

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part D

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Reading Part B assignment.

Chapter 12 is titled "Rama and Ravana in Battle" and is about Rama and Ravana's battle. In this chapter, it is explained and narrated about the many weapons that Rama and Ravana used on each other, but because of Ravana's arrogance and many sins throughout his life, he is killed by Rama. After all, truth and righteousness always wins.

Chapter 13 is titled "Interlude" and is about when Hanuman goes and gets Mother Sita as per Lord Rama's instructions and command. Hanuman tells Mother Sita that it is Lord Rama's wish that she clean her appearance and make herself look well before coming to his presence.

Chapter 14 is titled "The Coronation" and is about Mother Sita's agnipariksha. When she comes to Lord Rama, she is asked to give an agnipariksha to prove her purity not for Lord Rama, but for all the people in Ayodhya that were gossiping about whether or not Rama should take her back even though she has lived with another man for so long. Lord Rama already knew she was pure, but he had to prove it to Ayodhya's people before taking the crown. Mother Sita successfully gave the agnipariksha, the people stopped gossiping, and she went to Lord Rama very happily.

The epilogue talks about the happenings after Lord Rama and Mother Sita returned to Ayodhya from exile: the monkey clan did not return to Kishkinda, from where they came; instead, they remained in Ayodhya to serve Lord Rama and Mother Sita, who were now the king and queen, respectively, of Ayodhya. It also explains that there is a sequel about Rama's sons that has been omitted in this book.

I would write a story about how the members of Gokuldham Society taught a lesson to Don Baadal and got back Bhidebhai's scooter.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Sita giving her agnipariksha for the people of Ayodhya.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part C

Today is Monday, January 30th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 3 Reading Part A assignment

Chapter 8 is titled "Memento from Rama" and is about the ring that Rama had given to Hanuman when he was sent to find Sita and tell her that Rama will soon come and get her from Lanka.

Chapter 9 is titled "Ravana in Council" and is about when everyone in Ravana's council told him he did wrong and he should return Sita to Rama. In this council, Ravana didn't listen to anyone, thinking he is the only person in the council who is smart, which is why he is the king of Lanka. Out of everyone in Lanka, Vibhishana and his daughter are righteous. As a result, he decided to join Lord Rama in the battle for righteousness. His daughter remained with Sita and gave her moral and emotional support.

Chapter 10 is titled "Across the Ocean" and is about Vibhishana joining Lord Rama. Lord Rama was hesitant about letting him join thinking that he might be a spy sent by Ravana. But Hanuman assured Lord Rama that Vibhishana is not like anyone else in Lanka, so he was allowed to join Rama's battalion. Vibhishana also tells Lord Rama that his daughter is with Mother Sita in Ashoka Vatika giving her moral and emotional support. Lord Rama is very pleased and grateful to hear that.

Chapter 11 is titled "The Siege of Lanka" and is about the battle that ensues between both armies. In this chapter, the battle ensues between both armies. One by one, Ravana sends many warriors to fight with the warriors of Lord Rama. In these battles, one by one, Ravana's warriors are killed because of their arrogance and their unjust pride.

I would write a story about when Tapu Sena accidentally broke Bhidebhai's scooter's rearview mirror, and they were trying to explain to him about how they didn't do it on purpose, but Bhidebhai wouldn't listen to them.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Indrajit in war with Lakshmana

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part B

Today is Tuesday, January 24th, 2017, and I am completing the Week 2 Reading Notes Part B assignment.

Chapter 4 is called "Encounters in Exile" and is about the different people Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana come across as they are finding a place in the forest to settle themselves. They come across one of Ravana's sisters too. It is in during this time that Soorpanaka's nose is cut off and the story of Ramayana really begins.

Chapter 5 is called "The Grand Tormentor" and is an introduction to Ravana. In this chapter, Soorpanaka comes to Ravana after her nose gets cut off. She tells him who did that to her, and Ravana then vows to take revenge for such an act. It is in this chapter that Ravana abducts Sita and kills Jatayu, the vehicle of Lord Vishnu, by cutting off one of his wings, when he was trying to save Sita.

Chapter 6 is called "Vali" and is about the coronation of the monkey clan king, Sugreeva. This chapter tells the story of Sugreeva.

Chapter 7 is called "When The Rains Cease" and is about when Rama and Lakshmana meet the monkey clan. As they were walking south to Lanka, they came across Vali. They met the king of Vali, Sugreeva. Sugreeva asks them why they look so sad, so they tell him that Sita had been abducted by Ravana, and they need to get her back. It is at that time that friendship is kindled between Rama and Sugreeva and Sugreeva and his monkey clan promise to help him.

My story would be about Don Baadal and how he abducts Bhidebhai's scooter to torment him.

Click here for a Reading Guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

Ravana abducting Sita and killing Jatayu while Jatayu was trying to save Sita.

Source: (Google Images)

Reading Notes: Narayan's Ramayana, Part A

Today is Monday, January 23rd, 2017, and I am completing the Week Reading Part A.

I read the Prologue and Chapters 1-3 of R. K. Narayan's Ramayana.

The Prologue was an introduction to the Ramayana and the protagonist of the story, Lord Rama. It tells the story of his birth and how he came to be.

Chapter 1 is called "Rama's Initiation" and is about how Rama was initiated into his mission of fighting for good over evil. As Sage Vishvamitra took Rama and Lakshmana, along the way to his hermitage, Sage Vishvamitra narrated stories of different people and places that came along the way. My personal favorite of those stories is of Ahalya.

Chapter 2 is called "The Wedding" and is about how Rama got married to Sita. At the end of chapter 1, Sage Vishvamitra completes his yagna (sacrificial fire), and the three of them (Sage Vishvamitra, Rama, and Lakshmana) come to Mithila for another sacrificial fire. Once in Mithila on their way to the palace, Rama's eyes fell upon Sita, fell in love with her, and vice versa. This chapter outlines the events that lead up to their wedding and their wedding.

Chapter 3 is called "Two Promises Revived" and is about when Queen Kaikeyi puts her two wishes to King Dashratha and when Rama was sent for fourteen years of exile. It was during the time of crowning the king-elect (like president-elect in the United States). Because Rama was oldest, he was coronated to be the king after King Dashratha. Queen Kaikeyi's personal attendant, Manthra, did not like that, and filled Queen Kaikeyi's ears to tell King Dashratha send Rama to exile for fourteen years and to make Bharata the king-elect. Manthra succeeded in her mission: Queen Kaikeyi asked King Dashratha to send Rama for fourteen years exile and to make Bharata the king-elect. Even though King Dashratha was hesitant, because Rama considered Queen Kaikeyi as his own mother, he gave the crown to Bharata and immediately left for exile with Sita and Lakshmana.

If I were to write a story, I would write about Jethabhai, Popatbhai, and Iyerbhai dressed up in disguise to get Sakharam (Bhidebhai's scooter) back from Don Baadal (don = gang leader) after Don Baadal kidnapped it.

Click here for a reading guide to R. K. Narayan's Ramayana

Here is Rama reviving Ahalya to her original state and taking her out of Rishi Gautama's curse.

Source: (Google Images)